e
road, though now quite muddy, was a level one, and in fairly good
condition.

Forward they tramped through the rain. It is on such occasions as
these--when something goes wrong, upsetting all prearranged plans, and
making life seem miserable--that true courage of a sort, comradeship,
good-fellowship and real grit are best shown. And, to the credit of the
outdoor girls be it said that, now they had taken the "plunge" none of
them showed the white feather. They were brave under any circumstances
and this very bravery strengthened their tired nerves.

On they splashed through muddy puddles, protecting themselves from the
rain as best they could by their coats. But occasionally the wind would
whip them open, letting in the moisture that already had soaked the
garments well.

"There doesn't seem to be any shelter," remarked Amy, hopelessly, when
they had gone perhaps half a mile.

"Oh, don't give up yet," suggested Mollie.

They kept on, and came to a cross-road.

"Now which way?" asked Betty.

"Straight ahead," proposed Mollie.

"To the left," offered Grace.

"The right," was Amy's choice.

"I think--I'm not sure, but I think I see a light off to the left," said
Cousin Jane.

"A light!" cried Betty. "Then we ought to head for that."

"But I am not certain," went on Mrs. Mackson. "Look, girls, is that a
light?"

They grouped around her, and gazed in the direction she pointed.

"Hold the lamps the other way, and we can see better," suggested Grace.

"Hold the lens against your skirts, Mollie," said Betty. "That will make
dark-lanterns for us."

She and Mollie did this, and in the intense blackness, that, for the
moment was not illuminated by a lightning flash, they peered about them.

"It _is_ a light!" exclaimed Grace. "Thank goodness!"

"I think so, too," added Mollie, as she glimpsed a point of
illumination. "Come on, girls! They won't refuse to help us."

Much encouraged they kept on. The rain increased, but they did not so
much care now. The thunder was just as hard, and the flashes of heaven's
fire was vivid, while the wind seemed more powerful. But they kept on.
The light they had seen seemed to grow brighter. Then it suddenly
disappeared.

"Oh dear!" cried Grace, despairingly. "It is gone!"

"Never mind," said Mollie. "They may have taken it to another room, or
put it out to go to bed. But we can find the place, as long as we are on
the right road."

On they stumbled, and then Betty, wh